ABC's Black Box Series Premiere: My Thoughts

So, we all know I'm all about my TV Shows. Each year I do my Fall TV Preview, and many of you have participated in live discussions during Grey's Anatomy and Parenthood on the CSHM Facebook Page.

I just get really into my shows. What can I say?

I'm noticing this trend that networks are releasing season and series' premieres at random intervals throughout the year. Fall isn't the only "Big TV Premiere" season. Now, we are seeing shows debut in the dead of Winter or for short mini seasons twice a year. I'm loving that there are now shows that air over the Summer (hellllllo Under the Dome! Can't wait until June 30!). It's a smart way to keep people interested all year round instead of spikes in traffic and ratings between September and May. 

I dig it.

So I was intrigued by this Spring premiere of a new show called Black Box on ABC. Now that Parenthood is over for the season (and NBC better BRING IT BACK NEXT YEAR), my Thursday 10pm time slot was suddenly open. Since I watch Grey's Anatomy at 9pm on ABC, it made sense to stay on to check out this new series.

Steph's Black Box synopsis in a nutshell: 

Dr. Catherine Black is a brilliant neurologist, connecting with patients on unique levels of understanding. We soon learn the brilliance is accompanied by the fact that Dr. Black secretly suffers from severe Bipolar Disorder. While it has yet to affect her work (if anything, when off her medication, her skills seem enhanced), Catherine's disorder puts her in harmful situations when she does not keep it under control. Often tempted to go off her medications (she likes the "high" and how well she works while giving into her bipolar), Catherine's secret is becoming harder to keep, from her work and her fiancé especially.

Like I said. 

Nutshell synopsis.

I dig medical dramas, so it was a natural choice to check out. 

After watching the first episode, though, I'm kind of "eh" about it. 

I will still give it the Steph 4 Episode Chance, as some shows need time to settle into itself. But I'm not really impressed. I feel that the actual writing was subpar, from the dialogue to the way plot lines moved through the episodes. Medical dramas have the distinct challenge of having both ongoing plot lines (character development, overarching story lines, etc) as well as plot lines that must find a resolution within each episode (i.e.: the medical dilemma or mystery of the day). 

I felt like there was too much of a struggle to give Catherine's back ground while trying to fit in a "too-quickly resolved" medical drama. It made Catherine's ability to read patients unrealistic. It feels kind of like a House knock-off: doctor struggling with ailment but brilliant in the field. 

But House did it better.

The acting also felt forced or cheesy at times. I didn't like how Catherine always seemed high or horny (although I understand both aspects in the frame of her disorder), and perhaps they had her cycle too much in the span of one week?


I absolutely love that there is a show bringing to light the life and struggles of mental illness. I applaud when shows dig into the gritty aspects of life we otherwise try to gloss over. I believe Catherine's wild cycling between manic and depression, her need for medical stabilization and the deep relationship with her therapist is, so far, a decent rendition.

Lastly, the jazz music. I love jazz. But I feel that they way they incorporate it into the show, almost as a highlight of Catherine's manic episodes, doesn't fit right. I'm not sure what kind of music should be played during those times. But jazz isn't working for me.

I know that pilot episodes often have that awkward teenager feeling to them. Writers try to tell too much at once, try to give too much of the character up front, instead of introducing facts and building stories over time. I will give Black Box a few more episodes to see if it "settles into itself." But, all in all, I have less hope that this show will be a winner. 


Did you watch Black Box last night? What are your thoughts on the new series?

Season Premiere Conflict: The Braverman Grace Hospital Dilemma

Houston, we've got a (huge) problem.

It all goes back to my friend Brie. I will blame her. Years ago, she turned me on to the show Grey's Anatomy. I'd heard her talk about it plenty, and so when Chica was just shy of two years old, I found that Lifetime had reruns of Grey's from 1pm-3pm. So I figured I'd check it out. 2 episodes.  Every day. During Chica's nap time.  It was like I was meant to fall in love with the show.

It was not too long before I was caught up in all the storage room romances, abnormally occurring crisis situations and, of course, McDreamy. And I will share that while I have stood by Grey's through thick and thin, Brie has stopped watching completely because she couldn't embrace the loss of Mark Sloan and Lexie Grey.

I have to question, were you ever really a fan, Brie??

Fast forward another two or so years. Brie calls me: 

B: You've got to check this show out. You'll really like it.
S: Which one?
B: It's called Parenthood. It's well-written and it's right up your alley.
S: What channel is it on? What day? What time?
B: Tuesdays at 10pm on NBC.
S: 10pm? Like at night?
B:.....

I resisted the first year, but as Parenthood gained popularity, I decided to give it a chance during it's third season. I started with the season premiere (without having seen seasons 1 or 2, mind you) with my laptop open to the Parenthood wikipedia page so I could understand any past situations or family history. I was quickly captured by the Braverman clan, and after Season 3, I spent the summer watching Seasons 1 and 2 on Netflix (and bawling my eyes out during every flippin' episode).


To say I fell in love with this show is an understatement. Every Tuesday night I live and breathe for this show. I have live Chats with friends and CSHM fans on Facebook. I rallied every time there were utterances of cancellation. I stood by when Season 4 was cut short. 

I'm a Braverman Believer.

Well now, thanks to NBC and ABC, I have a huge problem.

You see, Parenthood has been moved from it's time slot on Tuesday nights at 10pm to Thursday nights at 10pm.

I see you're all like, "Um....so?"

WELL.

Thursday nights are already a pretty full night for Steph TV. Somehow over the years, many of the TV shows I love have ended up on Thursday nights: Community, Parks and Recreation as well as Grey's Anatomy.

Grey's Anatomy, people.

Now, I'm fortunate enough that Grey's is on at 9pm on ABC and Parenthood is on at 10pm on NBC. The debacle comes on the fated day of September 26, 2013. Quite possibly my favorite day of the entire 2013 year. Why? Because it is the night I look forward to all summer: Season Premiere Night. Each year in early September, I document my Fall TV Previews.  I share the shows I am excited to continue watching (as well as a slight recap of what happened last season), new shows I will be putting on trial and giving a chance, as well as shows that have jumped the shark and I will be letting go. Then I impatiently wait for the season premieres like a newly potty-trained toddler who has to pee.

This year, September 26 will be host to four of my Season Premieres. 

And...

::ready for it::

Grey's Anatomy will be overlapping with the Parenthood premiere.

DARN YOU, conflicting networks! Darn you TV gods for allowing Grey's to have a 2-hour season premiere (be still my heart) and Bravermans to be moved to the same night!

YOU CAN'T MAKE ME CHOOSE.

So what's a girl to do?

And let me state now, I will not be accepting "Hello, Steph. That's what DVR's are for" or "You're kind of too obsessed with TV shows" or "this is the stupidest dilemma in all of history" responses. 

Obviously. 

Instead, I will dream of a fictional TV world where the Bravermans all suddenly go to medical school and come on staff at Seattle Grace Mercy West Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Or they come on as a board of advisors and run the hospital, also renaming it the Braverman General Hospital. 

CAN YOU IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES?

Maybe Brie would begin watching again....

UPDATE: Check out my Fall TV Preview for 2013!